Sunday, December 16, 2012

CSM progress

I now have finished 1 pair of sleep tube socks, 2 pair of picot hem socks and 2 pair of basic hem socks.  I have a pair of socks almost totally finished, just one toe left to kitchner for that pair.

The machine is all set up for another pair, I just need to decide which yarn to use.  I've really expanded my sock yarn inventory.  I've been watching the sales and buying yarn that way.  I also bought 9 skeins of Barocco yarn from my Meadville yarn store.  Yesterday there were some beautiful skeins of Opal sock yarn at the Meadville store and I really wanted to scoop every one of them up and take them home.  I didn't, but only because they aren't in the budget!  I have spent this month's budget for yarn related items!  Next year's budget has been increased!  Hey, with a CSM you know you are going to be buying more sock yarn!  I more than doubled my 2012 yarn budget for 2013!

I've been using only my 72 slot cylinder and will soon try out the 60 slot cylinder.  The 60 will take a thicker yarn and I have some yarn I'd like to try on that cylinder.

I admit I haven't knit as much on the CSM as I'd like, but I was on some antibiotics that really blew a full month for me.  I was totally wiped out by the meds.

I bought an electric cone winder that I love.  It only has one draw back.  It is so touchy that you can't wind directly from a store bought ball because of the tension.  So, I wind it on my Royal winder first, then from that ball I am able to wind it with the cone winder.  It makes such a difference, knitting off the cone when using the CSM.  Also, Ann in Ohio gave me a gift certificate that I used to buy a Yarn Buddy.  Wow, that is so wonderful.  I love it.  I can use it for any hand wound or Royal wound ball plus it is great for the CSM.  I don't have to worry about the cone falling over as I crank away!

The Yarn Cabinet

As I have acquired more yarn I've just been sticking it into the cabinet, by catagory of course.  Then I received a large shipment that was bagged.  That gave me the incentive to make my yarn inventory cards before putting the yarn in the cabinet.  From there I decided to bag my sock yarn by manufacturer.  Out came the 1 gallon zip lock baggies and the sorting began.  Now all of my sock yarn, that is in balls, is in baggies and have inventory cards made!   Then, looking at the Yarn Cabinet, I decided to start on the worsted weight yarn!  Now most of that is bagged and have inventory cards made!  Progress. 

I think the next step will be the skeins of both lace weight and fine sock yarn!  The process is slow but rewarding.  By the time I get these two done I'll be through the bulk of it.  At this point 4 of the 9 cubes are organized, of which one is not carded but is just for the 2 Classic cardigans from KP and also my beautiful skeins of discontinued lace weight turquoise variegated yarn from Knit Picks.

I also updated my books list and added two books to my Ravelry library.  I did notice a couple of patterns that need to be added to my Ravelry library.

Organization makes it so easy to find what I want and the unexpected discoveries are great!